Project Manager Skill Development: A Survey of Programs and Practitioners

Abstract

:This article reviews project management education, from graduate and certificate programs to organizational programs. It includes survey results of current practitioners with regard to project management training. It has been found that there are both graduate and certificate programs that cover the recommended project knowledge areas. Less than half of the organizations in the survey had any type of project management training program and 41% of project managers felt their organizations prepared them for their role. From those project managers who had been trained, 73% felt the training prepared them for their role. Recommendations are provided for employees, employers, and academia to help bridge the gap between current training and skills necessary for project managers. An overview of one program that has been developed is provided.